Serenity was frustrated. She had hoped things would go differently, but realistically, she knew her mother wouldn’t take her decision well. If anything, Serenity doubted that even explaining her true reasons for leaving would get Valerie’s approval. She packed a small suitcase with a few changes of
Serenity’s voice softened, her emotions spilling into her words. “I grew up believing Peter was my father. When I met him, I let everything out—I talked to him, and then I let him go. It wasn’t fair to me, to him, or to Dad. And let’s not even get started on Maximus, who didn’t even know I existed u
Maximus and Laura returned home after their quick stop at the dessert shop. As Maximus unloaded their purchases in the kitchen for the cook to store, he froze at the sight of Serenity sitting in the living room, her suitcase beside her. His heart skipped a beat. Laura’s words earlier about Serenity
Valerie remained in the study long after Serenity had left. She felt a hollow ache in her chest, a deep guilt that weighed heavily on her. Her little girl was gone, and though she didn’t want to admit it, her daughter’s words rang true. She hadn’t handled Peter’s reappearance well. He had come into
“Can we?” Valerie asked softly, her voice trembling with vulnerability.“Yes. Yes, we can…” Marcus replied, his voice filled with certainty.They surrendered to a moment they had both longed for but thought might never happen again.[At Maximus’s house]In Laura’s room, she and Serenity sat cross-le
Maximus arrived at Mannheim Airport in Germany after a short hour-and-a-half flight. Waiting for him at his arrival was a driver ready to take him to Heidelberg. Twenty minutes later, he pulled up to the address where Magnus Evans lived. For a moment, he hesitated, but after gathering his thoughts,
“We started talking about work, but before we knew it, we were discussing life, her husband, and her family. That’s when I noticed a bruise on her right wrist, which she was trying to hide under her sweater sleeve. Your mother was five years younger than me, the same as your father. I remember telli
Maximus felt powerless as his thoughts spiraled. His mother—his beloved mother—had been destroyed by the man he had once admired as a role model. Clenching his fist, he slammed it down on the coffee table, imagining it was Leonardo beneath him. But blaming the man who had an affair with his mother w
After several hugs and a strange sense of emptiness, Lucius and Amanda left the house. Lucius started driving, knowing he still had to get home—he hadn't said goodbye to his siblings, his father, or the grandfather he'd just met.Time was ticking. Through the rearview mirror, he caught a glimpse of
The week had flown by, and Lucius and Amanda were getting everything ready to head back to New Zealand. Their time in Valentia had been amazing. This visit had given them a lot of good memories, but it was time to return to university.Maximus and the others were hoping they could visit during the
After Ethan gave a masterclass on how to hold a baby, it was the grandparents' turn. Marcus, not wasting a second, held little Isabelle in his arms. The moment he looked at her, he knew—she was the spitting image of his daughter, the same baby girl he had met just over two years ago. "Hello, prince
After finally finishing all the paperwork and preparations for the creation of PBE Group, Maximus and Peter drove from Florentia to Valeria. Both men were determined to get there—after all, their daughter, so to speak, had just given birth, and it was essential to meet the family's first granddaught
A couple of hours after that awkward conversation, Alden, Serenity, Isabelle, and Laura were on their way home. After all the advice from the OB-GYN and the pediatrician, the new little family was finally heading back.Serenity was filled with mixed emotions. In her arms, she held her baby—yes, her
The next day, Serenity had her check-up. Little Isabelle stared intently at her mother, those big, beautiful eyes locked onto her face. Serenity couldn't stop admiring her.She was completely in love with the tiny angel in her arms. Looking at her, she couldn't help but remember how she and the man
They barely made it to the car before they were already pulling up to the place where Adrian was now living. When they arrived, Laura was surprised by the location. It wasn't bad, exactly—just not the kind of place she could ever picture Adrian choosing for himself.It made her think his financial s
"Is it far from here?" Laura asked, a bit concerned."Not really. I could actually walk, but honestly, with the crutches, it's kind of uncomfortable—and risky.""If you wait for me, I'll say goodbye to my sister and give you a ride. I'm guessing it's on the way, so...""No! No, you came to see your
"Well, Laura, things aren't that simple... but I'll figure something out. And with all this, what are you doing at the hospital? Who's taking care of Adele? Is something wrong? Is someone in your family here? Are you okay?""Wow... That's a lot of questions. But yeah, everything's fine. Emma's watch